University Hills, a 280-acre, $1 billion mixed-use project in Southern Dallas, was one of 487 entities to submit a proposal for a free tunnel from Musk’s company.
DALLAS — A major development in Southern Dallas has been named one of 16 finalists in a nationwide competition hosted by Elon Musk’s Boring Company in which the winner will have a mile-long tunnel built within its infrastructure for free.
University Hills, a 280-acre, $1 billion mixed-use project by developer Hoque Global, was named on of the contest’s finalists after being one of 487 entities to submit a proposal for the tunnel. According to a statement released by the City of Dallas, the proposed tunnel would connect the neighborhood to the University of North Texas Dallas DART Station nearby.
The competition, known as the “Tunnel Vision Challenge,” was announced in January by The Boring Company, the tunneling enterprise founded by Elon Musk. It encouraged companies to pitch tunnel concepts up to one mile long and 12 feet in diameter that would demonstrate innovative transportation or infrastructure solutions.
The Boring Company is expected to announce the winning proposal on Monday, March 23. The selected winner will see its project constructed at no cost to the host city, per the contest’s rules.
University Hills is being designed as a walkable, urban neighborhood featuring 580 homes, phased mixed-use construction and a town center. Homebuilding is expected to begin in early 2027.
The project has drawn both momentum and scrutiny in recent months.
Dallas officials gathered in May for a ceremonial groundbreaking after the city committed nearly $35 million in economic incentives to its construction. City Manager Kimberly Tolbert has indicated that additional support could follow, saying “so much more is needed.”
Still, some city council members have raised concerns about the project’s execution and past delays in meeting city deadlines. Council Member Adam Bazaldua questioned whether the city should continue incentivizing developers who fail to meet progress benchmarks, while Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins, whose district includes the site, defended the project as key to Southern Dallas’ long-term growth.
Hoque Global is also behind Newpark, a separate mixed-use development planned for downtown Dallas near City Hall, which is backed by roughly $100 million in pledged city subsidies.